Drug investigators arrest Trenton City Council aide

TRENTON — City Council President Phyllis Holly-Ward on Wednesday was shocked to learn that City Council’s aide, Linda D. Kelsey, was arrested by Mercer County special investigators on drug distribution charges.

“The shock does come because Ms. Kelsey is a really good worker,” Holly-Ward said. “None of us can say we have any problem with her. She’s a great worker. We have to let the process take its course.”

The arrest came about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday after Kelsey left her job at City Hall, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph Bocchini Jr., who said the arrest capped off a two-month investigation.

Kelsey, 55, is accused of selling prescription pills with the help of city resident Hilbert R. Lyman, 62, who was also arrested on multiple drug charges.

Advertisement

Bocchini’s Special Investigations Unit on Tuesday raided Lyman’s Trenton residence on Nordacs Place and located thousands of prescription pills in an upstairs bedroom, Bocchini said. He said the pills belonged to Lyman, who was allegedly selling them instead of taking them as prescribed.

Lt. Mike Novembre, Bocchini’s top SIU officer, said officers seized $113,645 worth of drugs in the form of 3,217 oxycodone pills in various strengths, 240 methadone pills and 90 morphine pills.

The authorities charged Kelsey and Lyman with multiple drug charges and released them both from custody on their own recognizance. Kelsey returned to work on Wednesday.

“I’m going to deal with this in court,” Kelsey said Wednesday in the City Clerk’s Office as city business came to a close. She then met with Holly-Ward.

“I just wanted to know how she was doing,” Holly-Ward said of Kelsey. “I wanted to make sure she was all right.”

The prosecutor’s office on Wednesday issued a press release saying the SIU executed six search warrants, one of which was executed at Lyman’s home. The press release didn’t say where the five other searches occurred but it did say SIU officers seized a 2007 Chrysler 300 and a 1991 GMC Sonoma that Lyman used during the alleged distribution of the prescription pills.

Bocchini on Wednesday wouldn’t give more information beyond what the press release stated. “The press release states everything I want to comment on at this point,” he said.

Public records show Kelsey entered employment with the city in 2007 and earns an annual salary of $57,215. “Right now there is no need for her to be suspended with or without pay,” Holly-Ward said of Kelsey. “She’s innocent until proven guilty.”

Trenton’s special labor attorney Steven Glickman couldn’t be reached for comment on Wednesday, but he recently said a city employee would be placed on unpaid suspension if indicted on a criminal offense. The city waited for Trenton Public Works employee David G. Tallone to be indicted on forgery charges before suspending him without pay earlier this year.

South Ward Councilman George Muschal, a retired city police officer, spoke highly of Kelsey’s job performance. “She works for all seven of us, and she always did a good job,” said Muschal, who was first elected in November 2009 and serves as City Council’s most-veteran member. “You know me, I’m pro-cop, but you’re innocent until proven guilty.”

Kelsey does research assignments for City Council members as part of her job. Her arrest brought more negative attention to City Hall, which was raided last month by FBI agents.

“Whether it’s our office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office or state Attorney General’s Office, there’s no safety zone for anybody as far as I’m concerned,” Bocchini said.

Kelsey is accused of selling oxycodone pills to a cooperating witness on diverse dates between June 18 and Aug. 13.